Introduction to Computing
Revised: August 2008 (Bill Kreahling)
Course Description
The main topic of this course is an introduction to programming using the Alice system. Alice is a visual programming environment that simplifies many of the concepts involved in programming by using 3-D animated characters, worlds, and objects. The point of the course is to learn the basics of computer programming. A secondary topic covered is a brief introduction to computer hardware and software. 3 Credit hours.
Text (Required)
Tony Gaddis, Starting out with Alice: A Visual introduction to Programming, Pearson Education, 2008.
Grading Procedure
Grading procedures and factors influencing course grade are left to the discretion of individual instructors, subject to general university policy.
Attendance Policy
Attendance policy is left to the discretion of individual instructors, subject to general university policy.
Course Outline
- Introduction to computing: Hardware, software, programming languages.
- Introduction to Alice: worlds, objects, camera movement, 3D objects, sub-part objects.
- Writing programs in Alice, methods, design, comments, simultaneous instructions, printing your code.
- Variables, functions, Strings, performing math, user prompts.
- Control flow: structures to make decisions, to repeat actions until certain conditions are met.
- Advanced methods, including parameters and arguments.
- Events: Handling key press and mouse events
- Creating and managing lists within Alice.
- Discussions on Second Life (Time permitting).